


O U R N A L 



OF 



DR. ELIAS CORNELIUS, 



A REVOLUTIONARY SURGEON. 



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GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION 

OF HIS SUFFERINGS 

WHILE A 

PRISONER IN PROVOST JAIL, 
NEW YORK. 1777 AND 1778, 

WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



PUBLISHED BY 

JUDGE CHARLES M. TOMPKINS 

AND 

CHESTER T. SHERMAN, 

WASHINGTON. P. C. 

i9o;... 



PRICE, FIFTY CENTS, POSTPAID. 




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JOURNAL 



OF 



DR. ELIAS CORNELIUS, 



A REVOLUTIONARY SURGEON, 



AND 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



E2SI 




Copyright, 1902, 
By Chester T. Sherman. 



JOURNAL OF ELIAS CORNELIUS, M. D., 

Surgeon's Mate in the American Revolutionary Army, 

While a Prisoner to the British in the Provost Jail, New York, 
J 777 and J 778. 



AuGT. 22, 1777. — This morning I marched down to East Chester 
with the main body of our troops in that division Viz. Gen Varnum's 
Brigadeof Continental troops & Gen Ward's of Conneticut Malitia where 
we went and surprized one of the fenemies Piquets and took two officers 
and some privates with some Tories & Negroes. After that I went with 
our two guides and Dr Tunison of the General Hospital, and seized some 
stores that was within the Enemies Lines and kept for their use. After that 
(which was about two o'clock P. M.) the Gen thought proper to send 
out Piquet Guards. Capt Y Alden of Col Samuel B. Webbs Regiment, 
was detached, with about fifty men to command the advanced Piquet on 
the left, near West Chester. Capt David Dexter of Israel Angell's Reg- 
iment was detached with the same number of men to command the 
advanced Guards on the right at Miles Square. I, wishing to be where 
most was to be done, rode down with Capt Dexter. He stopped at 
Miles Square ; but seeing a body of men at a distance on the right tow- 
ards North River, not knowing who they were I sat out with a 
determination to find out. I had gone but halfway when I met Col 
Dammond. 

After some conversation we concluded to ride to the Enemies ad- 
vanced Post, and see what discoveries we could make. After riding in 
sight of Fort Independence, we returned unmolested to Col Dammond's 
Regiment. While we were riding we heard cannonading and firing of 
small arms, which we supposed to be the enemy attacking our advanced 
Guards on the left ; here I left Col Dammond and returned to Capt 
Dexter' s Piquet and there tarried some minutes, after which set out for 
Head Quarters, where I had left the Gen and main bodys of the troops 
at East Chester. It had become late in the afternoon, but I thought 
myself safe, as I had been six miles nearer the enemy than I was at that 
time. I had now four miles to ride before I came to Capt Dexter' s 



Piquet. Before I come to East Chester it took uyj some time ; I however 
arrived there in an hour and a half. To my great surprise I found 
that our troops had left the place and retired back and the Enemies 
scouting parties were in the town. (At this time Capt Alden on the left 
was killed and his Piquets chiefly killed or taken.) On riding into 
town, while passing a corner, four of the Enemy started from behind a 
shed, one of whom seized my horse, another seized me by my coat & 
legs asked me where I belonged, to which 1 answered to the Army of 
the United States of America and to Gen Varnum's Brigade of Conti- 
nental troops, and then I asked where Gen Varnum was : one of them 
(John Anderson a noted Tory) said <' I am he," I answered, it is false. 
By this time they had me to the ground during which time, one of them 
seized one of my pistols, the other I took and presented at the breast 
of the leader and bid him surrender, he immediately took the one he 
had taken from me, and presenting it asked me if I would surrender, to 
which I answered, No, he immediately ordered the others to make ready 
their peices and advance, then turning to me, he said if I " did not at 
once surrender he would order his men toblowa Brace of Pistols through 
me" I immediately surrendered. They at once began robbing me of 
everything I had. Viz Horse & Harness, Pair of Pistols, Great Coat, 
pair of Shoe Buckles, pocket book with notes &c to the amount of 25 or 
30/"; besides some money, and sundry other articles. I was then put 
under guard and proceeded to West Chester ; we had gone but half a 
mile when we met one of the Seargents of Capt Alden's party, making 
his escape from the enemy to our guards. Here the leader of the guard 
that had taken me seised him and drove him with me to a place 3 miles 
below West Chester to a Mr Hunt's an old tavern keeper. This man 
abused me more than any other, while I was a prisoner here I with my com- 
panion was kept till the next morning. The officers that our party had 
taken of the enemy, (the same morning I was taken) were allowed to 
walk the streets and were not put under guard, and had their Parole 
immediately. Where, as I and my companion were put in close con- 
finement, with 13 sentinals, who would not allow us to speak. 

August 23rd — This morning as I and my companion were convey- 
ed to Kings Bridge we met Mr Delaney a Tory Cpl, who inquired of our 
leader <' where he got those scoundrels? to which he replied that they 
where some of Washington's army. We had gone but little farther, when 
we met a man who told us that he saw Capt Alden dead, the day before 
and that he helped to bury him. When we arrived at Kings Bridge I 



was put under the Provost Guard where to, my sorrow, I found a man by 
the name of Prichard, who was one of Capt Alden's Piquet and belonged 
to the State Guards of Gonnecticut. He had his Commifsion with 
him which was taken and never returned. Besides myself and the man 
just mentioned, there were several others who were under guard with us; 
one Sargent of the State Guards, a Corporal of Col Webbs Regiment, one 
of the Light-Horse, and 8 Privates, in all 13. We were kept, in this place 
sometime under the Hesian Guards. I applied for the things of which 
1 was robbed, my pocket-book & buckles were returned. I then made 
application for things, which belonged to other prisoners, (on their be- 
half. ) Some of them had part of their things returned, others nothing. 
At eleven O'clock a Surgeon of the British Army came to me, and in- 
quired for news papers. I told him I had none, he then gave me a New 
York paper, and said that I should have my parole as soon as I reached 
New York. The only provision we had as yet received since we arrived 
here was some mouldy bread, a pint of rum put into a bucket of water 
once in a while the Hesian that Guarded us would l)ringsome sour apples 
in his hat and throw them down among us as he would among so many 
pigs. The guards being relieved we were marched for New York. Just 
before we reached there we were taken to the Quarters of a Hesian Gen- 
eral for a show. Here the Hesians flocked around us, mocking us, 
sometimes drav/ing their swords across our throats, and saying we were 
to be hung here. A mate of the Hesian Surgeon seeing me much fatigued 
gave me a glass of wine which refreshed me much. Here our present 
guards were relieved by other Hesians; we were marched for Harlem 
here we were brought before Gen. Piquet, a Brigideer General in the 
British Service ; we staid here a few minutes, we were then put under an 
English Guard, who treated us better than we had been before ; under 
this guard we went to New York. It being very warm weather, and the 
Guards changing often, we were marched so fast, that some of us were 
ready to feint. But we were not allowed to stop even to get a drink of 
"water till we came to within four miles of New York, when a poor woman 
seeing our condition, came out and entreated our guards to stop that she 
might give us some water ; the guard consented and the good woman 
(as I may call her, for I beleive she was the means of saving the life of 
one of our men who was just sinking with the heat) ran into the house 
and brought us several pails of beer and three or four loaves of bread and 
two or three pounds of Cheese, and to some of us she gave some money ; 
the name of this woman was demons, a native of Boston, and she was 





about 30 years of age. She kept a small shop at the righthand side of 
the road near Kings bridge. We marched till we come! to, : the. Bowery, 
within ^ of a mile of New York ; being very thirsty I prevailed upon the 
guard to stop, that we might again refresh ourselves. We asked some 
negroes if they would give us some water, to which they replied " No " 
Domd you, you rebels, that we cant give you none, we are some of 
Donmons Men," we were forced to go on without our desired refresh- 
ments. 

As we come into the town the Hesians, Negroes, and children in- 
sulted, stoned and abused us in every way they could think of. At that 
time two of our men had become so fatigued that we were obliged to 
carry them. In this way we were led through half the streets, as a 
show. At last we were brought before Gen Jones who ordered us to the 
Sugar House which formerly went by the name of Livingston's Sugar 
House which was the Prison the private Soldiers were kept in. Here 
one Walley a Seargent of the 20th Regt. of Irish troops in the British 
Service, had the charge of the prisoners. This man was the most bar- 
barous, cruel man that ever I saw he drove us into the Sugar house yard 
like so many hogs, from there he ordered us into the Sugar House which 
was the dirtiest and most disagreeable place that I ever saw and the water 
in the pump was not better than that in the Dock. The top of the House 
was open to the weather, so that when it rained the water ran along 
and through every floor and on that account it was impossible for us to 
keep dry. Mr Walley gave us (13 of us) 4 pounds of poor Irish Pork 
and 4 pounds of mouldy bread for 4 days. After passing one night I 
asked Mr Walley if I was not to have my parole to which he answered No. 
I then asked for a pen and ink that I might write a petition to the Gen 
for it, he answered no, and was very cross and abused me very much. 
I again asked him the reason why I was not to have my parole, he told me 
I was not to have it. I then asked him if he would let me have a pen and 
ink to write a few lines to my father which he might see before I sent them. 
He then struck me across the face with a staff which I have seen him 
beat the prisoners ; he told me he would find a place for me. The next 
morning he came and took me out of prison under guard with one Capt 
Bissel (whom he had taken trom the main Guard) and conveyed us to 
the Provost Guard. Capt Bissel was put in the upper part of theprison. 
I was then taken down to a Dungeon ; when the door was opened " here" 
savs Sergeant Keith (the Provost marshal) here's a Doctor for yoi 



you Damb rebbel." When I went in I found Capt Chatham formaly 
Capt of a Privateer, and belonged to Pensylvania, and was taken prison- 
er and put in this dungeon, because after he was taken captive, he was 
ordered to pilot their ship up the Deleware, which he refused. There 
was also in this place a Capt Travis, of Virginia, & Capt of a Sloop of 
War, & John McCalsenden a Quarter Master in the Continental Army, 
and belonged to the first Battallion of New Jersey, and was accused of 
being a deserter Sixer Seven years before the present war begun. He 
was condemned to be hung, but did not know which ; he had been there 
between five and six months ; There were also in this dismal place be- 
sides these mentioned, nine thieves murderers &c. While in this place 
Capt Chatham was taken sick with nervous fever, I solicited Seargent 
Keith to permit him to go up stairs, But he answered in the negative. 
I then requested him to suffer me to send for some Medicine or I believe 
he must die, to which he replied he might die ; and if he did he would 
bury him. All the provision each man had for a week was but, two 
pounds of Meat and two pounds of bread, always one and sometimes 
both was not fit to eat, and those who had money were not able to send 
to purchase any of the necefsaries of life. At this time I had not one 
farthing of money just being robbed of all, and also of my clothing ex- 
cept what I had on. I had no change of linen from the 25th of Aug- 
ust till the 1 2th of September. At this time I solicited Sargent Keith 
to permit me to send to my father on Long Island and see if he would 
send me some money and clothing which I was much in need of. (My 
father was one of their beloved friends and lived among them) But he 
as before positively answered in the negative, and said that no paper or 
written message should be sent out of the dungeon. About this time I 
was feeling resigned to suffer all the punishment that they were desirous 
of inflicting upon me. Remembering that many of my dear country men 
had previously suffered greater punishment than mine ; and that many 
of them died and bled in their countrys cause, and defence. Previously 
contemplating and Meditating that the cause we were contending for, 
•.vas a just cause, and a cause that all mankind ought to be interested in. 
Having meditated on all these things, I thought myself in duty bound, 
to suffer with patience & fortitude, with my fellow prisoners in my 
country's cause. In this hidious place I was kept till the twentieth of 
September following ; when Seargent Keith (the Provost Martial) came 
to the dungeon and took Capt Chatham, and Travis, and myself, and led 
us to the upper part of the prison, where I found my friends that were 



8 

also prisoners, Viz, Ethan Allen, Major Williams, Paine & Wells and 
others. Allen was made prisoner near Montreal, in the beginning of 
the war. He was put on board a man of war, and kept chained flat on 
his back in the hole six months. He also told me he had twice been 
carried on shore in England to be hung, but was reprieved. He was 
likewise taken on shore in Ireland and at Halifax for the same purpose. 
After this he was brought to New York, where for a short time he had 
his parole, it was taken from him, and he put in the provost jail, as there 
was an antipathy against him. I left him in this goal on Jan 7, 1778. 
Major Williams, belonged at Maryland and was taken prisoner at Fort 
Washington. Major Paine belonged at Connecticut. (While I was in 
this place, we were not allowed to speak to any friend, not even out of 
the window, I have frequently seen women beaten with canes and ram- 
rods who have come to the Prison windows to speak to their Husbands, 
Sons or Brothers, and officers taken and put in the dungeon just for ask- 
ing for cold water. Our provision was the same as in the dungeon with 
the exception of dried Peas, we however had no fire to cook them. Soon 
Fort Montgomery was taken by Gen Clinton (British) and all the officers 
were brought and put in two small rooms on the lower floor of the prison. 
Several of them were badly wounded but no Surgeon was allowed to 
drefs them. I asked Sargent Keith for the privilege, he first told me I 
should, but on asking him the second time, I was refused, and assured 
if I said any more about it he would put me with them and there keep 
me. All of us in the upper prison were sometimes allowed to go on top 
of the house, I took this opportunity of throwing some ointment and 
Lint down the chimney to the wounded in the lower rooms, with direc- 
tions how to use it, I knew only one of them Lt. Col Livingston. 
About this time there was a report about town that Burgoyne and his 
army were made prisoners, by the army under command of the Hon Ma- 
jor Gen Gates ; it was however soon contradicted in their newspapers, it 
was set forth in the following manner " Last Thursday the rebels came 
to Elizabeth-town Point, to enlist recruits for the rebel service, and in 
order to deceive raised a false report, fired cannon, made fires, and gave 
away rum without measure, and said that Gen Burgoyne and his whole 
army were taken prisoners. But notwithstanding all their efforts they 
could not get a single man. And the account of Gen Burgoyne being 
taken prisoner is to rediculous to be beleived." This pafsed in some of 
the papers and there was nothing said for ten or fourteen days, but the 
women that pafsed by made motions assuring us that we might depend 





upon it that he was surely taken prisoner. About this time Col Living- 
ston had a letter sent into him from his father By a British Officer who 
was coming into New York on Parole, and was brought to the Commander 
of the city, who being in haste ordered his Secretary to write his 
' permission to the letter and direct it to Mr Livingston a Rebel Col, 
in the Provost jail, therefore it was brought to him. Soon we heard 
hollooing, and other expressions of joy by him and others in the same 
room, but could not tell what was the matter. After he had read the 
letter over and over again he put it up to us through the crack in the 
floor, and we at once knew the cause of their joy, and the whole prison 
was filled with joy inexpressible ! The truth of what we heard was 
at this time confirmed. The next thing we saw was (in the papers) 
Gen Burgoyne's capitulation with Gen Gates. From this time till I left 
the prison we were better treated, although the provision was bad. But 
drew rather larger quantities of it. Some Butter, and about a gill of rice 
a week, and some cole which we never drew before. About this time 
ray father came from Long Island to the prison to see me. I was called 
down to the grates. My heart at first was troubled within me, I burst 
into tears and did not speak for some minutes. I put my hand through 
the grates and took my fathers, and held it fast. The poor old gentleman 
shed many tears and seemed quite troubled to see me in so woeful a place. 
He asked me how I did I told him poorly but as well as could be expected 
in such a hidious place, I then asked after the health of Mother 
Brother & Sisters, he told me they were well. I was filled with joy at 
hearing this as it was the first time I had heard from them since I en- 
tered the service. He asked me "what I thought of myself now and 
why I could not have been ruled by him, he said he had forewarned me 
of the cost, and that I had been led away by a bad man (Dr Latham 
and that Washington's whole crew would soon be in the same situation" 
and says he, " did not you never see his excellency's proclamation, whare 
in was set forth a free grace and pardon to all who would come in vol- 
untarely " (Meaning Sir Wm Hows Proclamation) I told him I had 
seen it, says he " why then did you not come in then, voluntarely, and 
quit the rebels. I thought you would come in voluntarely without being 
brought in by force of arms" Says I, Father what made you think so, 
did not I tell you my mind before I left your house, and did not you 
know my disposition? Have not I been faithful in all the duties of a 
child, to a parent? But, Father you, and every other man must know 
that it was a very trying thing to me, to leave all my dear friends and 



10 

turn myself out into the world naked. Does this seem to you, to show a 
rebellious disposition of temper and mind? When at that time I had 
not a^relative or acquaintance in the Army, not a relative in the world 
but what were enemies to this once happy country. Believe me dear 
Father, I was not led away by any man as you supposed. But on the 
contrary I weighed the matter seriously before I came into the service, 
the more I meditated the more I was led to believe that the cause in 
which my countrymen were engaged was a just one, and loudly called for 
the assistance of every well wisher of his bleeding country. Such were 
the feelings when I left my tender father's family. Soon the provost 
Martial came and said he could not allow my father to stay longer, I 
therefore bade him farewell. Towards the latter part of December we 
had Continental bread and beef sent us and as much wood as we wished 
to burn, (a friend gave me some money which was very useful.) 

January 9th 1778. — This day Mr Walley come and took from the 
prison myself and six others under guard and took us to the Sugar House 
where I was first imprisoned. At this time my health was bad, being 
troubled with the Scurvey, and my prospects for the winter were dark. 
This prison was much worse than when I left it before, irom the fact that 
there were nearly thirty soldiers, who went around to the other prison- 
ers and stole from them, the few comforts they had, and take the sick 
from their beds and take their bed clothing, and beat and kick them 
almost to death. The articles which they took from us they would carry 
to Mr Walley and sell them for rum. 

January 13th. — This morning I being unwell went to the hospital, 
which was the brick Meeting House, here I staid until the i6th here I 
was not much better than I was in the Sugar House no medicine was 
given me, though I had a cough and fever, the Surgeon wished me as 
soon as I became better to take the care of the sick, provided he could 
get my parole. 

January i6th. — On coming the next morning he said he could get 
it. I was now determined to make my escape, although hardly able to 
undertake it. Just at the dusk of the evening, before the lamps were 
lighted (having made the Sentinal intoxicated) I with others went out 
into the back yard to endeavor to make our escape over the fence, the 
others being backward about going first, I climed upon a tomb stone 
and gave a spring and went over safely, and then gave orders for the 
others to do likewise. A little Irish lad undertook to leap over, and 
caught his clothes in the spikes in the wall, and made something of a 



11 

noise. The sentinal being aroused called out (Rouse) which is the 
same as to command the Guards to turn out. They were soon out and 
surrounded the prison, in the meantime I had made my way to St. Paul's 
Church, which was the wrong way to get out of town. The guards ex- 
pecting, I had gone towards North River, went in that direction. On 
arriving at the Church I turned into the street to go by the College and 
thus go out of town by the side of the river. Soon after I was out of 
town I heard the 8 o'clock gun ; which was found on board the Com- 
modors ship, and was a signal for the Sentinals to hail every man that 
came by. I wished much to crofs the river but could not find any boat 
suitable. While going up the side of the river at 9 O'clock (P M) I 
was challenged by a Sentinal with the usual word (Burdon) upon which 
I answered nothing, on being challenged the second time I answered 
Friend. He bade me advance and give the counter sign, upon which I 
fancied I was drunk and advancing in a staggering manner, and after 
falling to the ground, he asked me where I was going, home I told him, 
but had got lost, and having been to New York, had taken rather too 
much liquor, and become somewhat intoxicated. He then asked my 
name which I told him was Marther Hopper (Mr Hopper lived not far 
distant) And solicited him to put me in the right road, but told me 
that I must not go till the Sargent of the Guards dismissed me from him, 
unless I could give him the counter sign. I still entreated him to let me 
go knowing the situation I was in. Soon, however, he consented and 
directed my course which I thanked him for. Soon the moon arose and 
made it very light, and there being snow on the ground, crusted over, 
and no wind, therefore a person walking, could be heard a great dis- 
tance. At this time the tumor in my lungs broke, and being afraid to 
cough for fear of being heard, prevented me from releiving myself of the 
puss that was lodged there. I had now to cross lots that were cleared and 
covered with snow, the houses being thick on the road, which I was to 
cross, and for fear of being heard, I lay myself flat on my stomach and 
crept along on the frozen snow. When I come to the fence, I climed 
over, and walked down the road, near a house where there were music 
and dancing. At this time one of the guards came out. I immediately 
fell down upon my face. Soon the man went into the house, I rose 
again and crossed the fence into the field and proceeded toward the river, 
there being no trees or rocks in the field to hinder my being seen, and 
not being able to walk without being heard as the snow crust was hard 



12 

enough to permit my walking on it, and the dogs beginning to bark, I 
lay myself flat again and crept across the field, which took me half an 
hour. I at length reached the river and walked by the side of it some 
distance and saw a small creek which ran up into the island and by the 
side of it a small house, and two Sentinals one each side of it, not know- 
ing what to do I crept into a hole in the bank which led in between two 
rocks, here I heard them talk. I concluded to endeavor to go around 
the head of the creek which was about half a mile, but on getting out of 
the hole I took hold of a limb of a tree which gave way, and made a 
great noise, the sentinal on hearing it said "did you not hear a person 
on the cr," I waited some minutes and then went around the head of 
the creek and came down to the river on the other side of the house to 
see if I could not find a boat, to crofs to Long Island. But on finding 
sentinals near by I returned back a short distance, and went up the 
river. I had not gone more than 30 rods, when I saw another seminal 
posted on the bank of the river where I must pafs or go round a half a 
mile and then come down to the river again. I stood some minutes 
thinking what course to pursue, but on looking at the man found he did 
not move and was leaning on his gun, 1 advanced toward him and suc- 
ceeding in pafsing by without waking him up. After this I found a 
Sentinal every 15 or 20 rods till I came within 2 miles of Hell Gate. 
Here I stayed till my feet began to freese, and having nothing to eat, I 
went a mile farther up the river. It now being late I crept up into the 
bushes and lay down to think what to do next. I concluded as I could 
not get a boat to crofs the river to Long Island to remain where I was 
during the night and early in the morning to go down to New York and 
endeavor to find some house to conceal myself in. In the morning as 
soon as the Revelry Beating commenced I went on my way to New York 
which was 8 miles from this place, after proceeding awhile I heard the 
morning guns fired at New York though 4 miles from it. I pafsed the 
sentinals unmolested, down the middle road, and arrived there before 
many were up. I met many of the British and Hessian Soldiers whom 
I knew very well, but they did not know me. I went to a house and 
found them friends of America, and was kindly received of them, and 
promised to keep me a few days. I had not been here, but ^ of an 
hour when I was obliged to call for a bed. After being in bed two or 
three hours, I was taken with a stoppage in my breast, and made my 
resperation difficult, and still being afraid to cough loud for fear of being 
heard. The good lady of the house gave me some medicine of my own 



13 

prescribing, which soon gave me relief. Soon a rumor spread about 
town among the friends of America, of my confinement and expectation 
soon to be retaken, they took measures to have me conveyed to Long 
Island, which was accordingly done. 

Feb. i8, 1778. — The same day I was landed I walked nine miles, 
and put up at a friends house during my walk I pafsedmy Grandfather's 
house, and dare not go in to see him for fear he would deliver me up to 
the British. The next morning I started on my journey again and reach, 
ed the place I intended at 12 O'clock (noon) and put up with two 
friends. The next morning I and my companions (two of them) started 
from our friends with four days provisions and Shovels and axes to build 
us a hut in the woods. We each of us had a musket powder and balls. 
After going two miles in the woods, we dug away the snow and made us 
a fire. After warming ourselves we set to work to build us a hut and 
got one side of it done the first day, and the next day we finished it. 
It was tolerably comfortable, we kept large fires and cooked our meat on 
the coals. In eight or ten days we had some provisions brought us by 
our friends. At this time we heard that Capt Rodgers was cast away 
on Long Island, and concealed by some of his friends. We went to see 
him. and found him, we attempted to stay in the house in a back room. 
At about 10 O'clock A. M. there came in a tory, he knowing some of us 
seemed much troubled. We made him promise that he would not make 
known our escape. The next day my two comrades went back to their 
old quarters and Capt Rodgers and myself, and a friend went into the 
woods and built us a hut, about ten miles from my former companions, 
with whom we kept up a constant corespondence. Soon a man was 
brought to us by our friends whom we found to be John Rolston, a man 
that was confined with us in the Provost Jail. And was carried to the 
Hospital about 3 weeks after I was, and made his escape the same '.vay, 
and by friends was brought to Long Island. 

March 19th 1778. — About five O'clock a friend came to us and 
said we had an opportunity to go over to New England in a boat that 
had just landed, with 4 torys that had stolen the boat at Fairfield Con- 
necticut, We immediately sent word to our two friends with whom I 
first helped to build a hut, that we could now go across the sound, but 
they could not be found. At sunset those that came over in the boat 
went off, and some of our friends guided us through the woods to the 
boat, taken two oars with us which we had made for fear we should not 
find any in the boat. On arriving at the place our kind friends helped 



14 

us off. We rowed very fast till we were a great distance from land. The 
moon rose soon, and the wind being fair, we arrived, we knew not where, 
about half an hour before day. We went on shore and soon found it was 
Norwalk Ct. We had bade farewell to Long Island for the present upon 
which I composed the following lines, 

O fair you ^vell once happy land, 

Where peace and plenty dwelt 
But now op'pressed by tyrants hands, 

Where naught but fury's felt. 

Behold I leave you for awhile 

To mourn for all your Sons; 
Who daily bleed that you may smile, 

When we've your freedom won. 

After being rested just as the day began to dawn we walked a short 
distance to a place called the " Old Mill" where we found a guard who 
hailed us at a distance, and on coming up to him kindly received us, 
and invited us to his house to warm us (for he lived in Norwark) here 
we went to bed at sunrise and stayed till lo O'clock. After dinner we 
took our leave of Capt Rodgers, and started for head quarters in Penn- 
sylvania, where the grand Army was at that time. In seven days we 
arrived at Valley Forge. 



Note. — The above narrative is a true copy of the ' ' Journal " written by my 
grandfather (Dr. Elias Cornelius), giving an account of his sufferings and 
treatment while in the hands of the British in New York, in 1777 and 1778. 

Charles M. Tompkins. 
June 4th, 1894. 



15 

[From Putnam County Eepublican, Carmel, N. Y., April 6, 1895.] 

On our second page will be found a sketch of a Revolutionary soldier and 
patriot, Dr. Elias Cornelius, who was for many years a resident of Baldwin 
Place. This is the first complete sketch of Dr. Cornelius' career that has been 
presented to the public, although he passed away over seventy years ago. 
We are indebted to our old friend, Judge Charles M. Tompkins, of Washing- 
ton, D. C, for a copy of Dr. Cornelius' Journal, and also for other information 
which has aided us in compiling the sketch. — Editor. 



DR. ELIAS CORNELIUS. 



The following sketch of one whose career dates back to the begin- 
ning of the Revolutionary War, who suffered imprisonment, endured 
great privations and persecutions, and even banishment from home and 
estrangement of family ties for the cause of freedom, but who came out of 
the ordeal unscathed and purified — like gold tried by fire — with character 
strengthened and patriotism intensified, and, after the clouds of war 
had rolled by and his beloved country no longer required his services 
became the most noted physician of his time in this section of the State, 
and a strong and honored pillar in the Presbyterian Church, is written 
with a desire to revive and perpetuate the memory and deeds of a good 
man, and a noble patriot, who was an honor to his country, to his pro- 
fession, and to Christianity, and whose life was an inspiration and a 
blessing to his fellow men. 

Such was Dr. Elias Cornelius, who for over forty years (1781-1823) 
filled a prominent place in the active life of Putnam County and North- 
ern Westchester, and whose name in those olden days was a household 
word in the communities through which he moved and practised his pro- 
fession. 

Elias Cornelius was born on Long Island in the year 1758. Be- 
sides Elias, his father's family consisted of another son and several 
daughters. His paternal ancestors came from Holland, and a coat of 
arms once in the possession of Dr. Cornelius, of which we have seen a 
copy, indicates that they were people of rank and distinguished for mil- 
itary achievements and religious zeal which had won for them this 
honorable heraldic emblem. Beyond this we know nothing of the family 
history, nor of Elias' boyhood or educational advantages, except that he 
had not received the benefit of a collegiate education. 



16 

At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, we find him study- 
ing medicine under the direction of Dr. Samuel Latham, a physician of 
repute, in New York City, who not only initiated his pupil into the 
mysteries of the healing art and sought to convert him into a worthy 
disciple of Esculapius, but also instilled into his youthful mind the 
principles of patriotism and implanted in his heart the love of freedom 
to such an extent, that, in spite of the persuasions and remonstrances of 
his parents and other relatives, all of whom were devoted Loyalists, he 
resolved to cast his lot with the Patriots. 

The outgrowth of this was that he enlisted in the American Army, 
Jan. I, 1777, being then only twenty years of age. On April 15, 1777, 
he was appointed Surgeon's Mate in the Second Regiment of Rhode 
Island troops under the command of Col. Israel Angell. His appoint- 
ment was signed by John Cochran, Surgeon General; James Craik,* Chief 
Physician and Surgeon to the Army ; Col. Israel Angell and others. Four 
months after this, Aug. 22, 1777, while on a reconnoitering trip, Dr. Cor- 
nelius was surprised and taxen prisoner by the British, at East Chester. 
He was robbed of all his belongings, and then marched to New York under 
charge of Hessian Guards by whom he was treated in an insulting and 
cruel manner. On his arrival there he was lodged in the Old Sugar House 
prison, in which the private soldiers were kept. Soon after he was re- 
moved from that prison and thrown into a dungeon in the Provost Jail. 

Concerning this Jail, Mary L. Booth, in her History of New York 
City, quotes from a published document of John Pintard, one of the 
founders of the New York Historical Society, as follows: << The Provost 
was destined for the more notorious rebels, civil, naval and military. 
An admission to this modern Bastile was enough to appall the stoutest 
heart." 

The Jail was under the superintendence of the notorious Provost 
Marshal Cunningham, and no greater brute, or demon in human form, 
ever had charge of captives of war. The barbarities practiced on the 
defenceless prisoners by this man stand unparalleled in the history of 
war. It is stated that he treated them with the utmost cruelty, heaped 
every possible indignity on them, and while his victims were dying off 
from cold and starvation, like cattle, he actually mingled an arsenical 
preparation with their poor food in order to kill them off quicker. It is 

*Ilwill be remembered that Dr. Craik was the physiciiin who attended Gen. 
Washington in his last and futal illness, December, 1799. Dr. Craik was then residing 
at Alexandria, Va. 



17 

also recorded that he openly boasted that " he had killed more of the reb- 
els with his own hand than had been slain by all the king's forces in 
America." Such was the Provost Jail and its keeper. 

Among Dr. Cornelius's friends and fellow prisoners in the jail, he 
mentions Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, and Majors Williams, 
Paine and Wells. 

Here he languished until Sept. 20, 1777, suffering for the necessa- 
ries of life and receiving like all confined there, most cruel and inhuman 
treatmentTrom the jailers and guards. He was then transferred to the 
upper rooms of the prison where he was confined until Jan. 9, 1778. 
About this time Dr. Cornelius received a visit from his father, who, as 
we have stated, was a Loyalist and a most faithful adherent of King 
George. In the journal which he kept during his imprisonment (which 
we shall publish later) he makes mention of this visit and records the 
views which his father then expressed of his conduct. He writes that he 
reproached him for his treasonable action and wept over the trouble it 
had brought him into, ascribing the whole as a result of the influence 
which Dr. Latham, whom he styled " a bad man," had exerted over his 
son. He then urged Elias to avail himself of a free pardon which had 
been offered in a proclamation by the Governor, Sir William Howe, to 
all who would come in voluntarily and " quit the rebels." The young 
man, however, turned a deaf ear to his father's entreaties, who left him 
uttering dire predictions of the results that would follow. England, ac- 
cording to his views, must surely conquer the rebellious Colonies, and 
his erring son would then, when it was too late, realize the folly of his 
course, and without doubt meet the fate due a traitor to his king and 
country. 

Soon after his father's visit, he was again consigned to the dungeon, 
but a few days later, on account of sickness, was removed to the hospital 
which he states was " in the brick meeting house." Watching his op- 
portunity, he made his escape from there, Jan. 16, 1778, three days after 
his arrival. He then wandered about for a number of days and endured 
much exposure and suffering, but finally found, to use his own language, 
"the house of some friends to America," who took him in, and after- 
wards aided him to reach Long Island. 

When he arrived on Long Island, he writes in his Journal that he 
walked nine miles and passed his grandfather's house but did not dare 
go in to ask relief for fear that the old gentleman, who was a strong Tory* 
would deliver him up to the British. Shortly after, in his wanderings. 



18 

he again found friends to the American cause, and also met two men 
who had been prisoners of the British, and like himself, had been for- 
tunate enough to make their esca|)e without detection. 

Cornelius, in company with these men, then went into the woods 
where they built a hut in which they passed the remainder of theWinter, 
living in constant fear, however, lest they should be discovered by the 
Tories in the vicinity, and information given which would lead to their 
recapture by the British soldiers. By hunting, and with occasional sup- 
plies stealthily furnished them by a few faithful friends they managed to 
eke out an existence until March 19, 17 78, when not deeming it safe to 
remain longer in that location, the party separated. 

After this Dr. Cornelius took refuge in the house of one of his friends, 
where he met two other men who had been his fellow prisoners in the 
Provost Jail. As all three men were desirous of leaving Long Island, 
in a few days, with the aid of friends, a boat was secured in which Cor- 
nelius and his two companions rowed across the sound to Norwalk, 
Conn., where they found shelter in the house of Capt. Rogers, one of 
the party. Dr. Cornelius remained at Captain Rogers's residence only 
long enough to take needed rest and refreshment, then proceeded on his 
way, and after a journey of seven days, rejoined the American Army 
which was then in those memorable headquarters at Valley Forge, Penn- 
sylvania. He continued in the service until Jan. i, 1781, and received 
an honorable discharge. 

On retiring from the service in 1781, Dr. Cornelius settled at 
Yorktown, Westchester County, and entered on the practice ot his pro- 
fession. Amid the hardships and dangers of his life in the army he 
received vivid religious impressions and came to be known as the "be- 
loved physcian," which led him after settling there to unite with the 
Congregational Church, and in 1787 he was honored with the otfice o^ 
deacon. 

Some years later he removed from Yorktown to the northwest part 
of the town of Somers, which is now known as Baldwin Place, and located 
on the farm at present owned by Samuel M. Lounsbury, where he 
resided to the time of his death. 

Here he devoted himself with renewed energy to his profession and 
acquired a large practice extending over the towns of Carmel, Somers, 
Yorktown, Philipstown, and Fredericksburg. He was a close student, 
and by patient study and industry accumulated a large fund of general 
and professional information. Many young men studied medicine under 
his superintendence and became able and successful practitioners. 



19 

Though Dr. Cornelius was an energetic man and possessed great 
firmness of character, he was also very kind hearted and generous — the 
poor received gratuitous medical attendance from him to a great extent, 
and while he ministered to the physical ailments of his patients, like his 
Master, the "Great Physician," he was ever ready to offer spiritual com- 
fort to those who stood in need, and kind words and advice were freely 
bestowed on rich and poor alike, in such measure as the case required. 

His generosity was not alone confined to individuals but the church 
as well found him a faithful servant, a cheerful giver and an industrious 
worker. The Presbyterian Church Society, of Mahopac Falls (formerly 
known as Red Mills), to-day stands in part as a monument to his zeal 
and devotion to the cause of Christ, for in 1790, he in conjunction with 
a few other faithful ones effected its organization, and to the day of his 
death his contributions to its support were most liberal and his interest 
in its welfare unabated. He was a prime mover, too, in securing for the 
society its first house of worship, taking a very active part in raising 
funds for the erection of a suitable edifice, and its completion was to him 
a source of pride and satisfaction. When the church was incorporated, 
April 7, t8o6, he was chosen one of the Trustees. 

In his Will he bequeathed legacies to the following religious and 
charitable societies : The American Bible Society ; The United Foreign 
Mission Society ; The American Education Society, and the American 
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 

His creed was loyalty to his country and to his God, and all 
through his eventful and useful life his words and deeds alike attested 
his sincerity. His view of life was evidently embodied in the following 
lines of verse which were found pasted in the inside covers of all his 
books. 

*' SOON will this glass of mortal life be run 

And all its fleeting vanities be gone. 

Then may I feel no more fins cruel fire, 

But to the grave in faith and peace retire ; 

And weep no more for the licentious wrongs 

Of judgments rafh or fcourge of slanderous tongues." 

Dr. Cornelius married for his first wife the daughter of a brother 
physician, Dr. Brewer, who bore him several children, all of whom died 
in childhood, and his wife also passed away in early life. Some years 
after her decease, he married Miss Rachel Stocker, who is described as 
possessing many excellent traits of character, and as being a woman of 
enlarged Christian experience. She died about the year 1833. By this 



20 

marriage, five children were born to him, one son, Elias Cornelius, and 
four daughters : "Sally," who married Tallman Perry, Sept. 13, 1824; 
Betsey, who married Ira Tompkins, March 8, 1820 ; Polly, who be- 
came the wife of Rev. William Lewis, and Nancy, who died unmarried 
at the early age of nineteen years. 

The son, Elias Cornelius, who was graduated from Yale College, 
Sept., 18 1 3, studied theology under Dr. Dwight, and became an eloquent 
and influential minister of the Congregational Church, being licensed to 
preach the Gospel, June 16, 1816, at Litchfield, Conn. For five years 
(1826-1831) he filled the office of Secretary to the American Educa- 
"tional Society, and through his influence and earnest labors the work of 
preparing young men for the ministry received a notable impetus. In 
January, 1832, he was chosen one of the Secretaries of the American 
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, to succeed Jeremiah 
Evarts. 

But it had been foreordained that his life work, so earnest and suc- 
cessful, should be accomplished quickly, even before he had reached his 
prime, for he died at Hartford, Conn., Feb. 12th, 1832, one month after 
his appointment, at the age of thirty-eight years. The talented poetess, 
Mrs. Sigourney, wrote some touching lines on his death. One son, Jer- 
emiah Evarts Cornelius, of Boston, Mass., and two daughters, Mary 
Cornelius and Mrs. Sarah E. Little, of Newton Centre, Mass., are now 
the only living members of his family. 

The daughters, reared in this Christian home, were also noted for 
piety, and like their father and brother, their walk in life abounded in 
good deeds. Their highest aim seems to have been to aid and comfort 
those less fortunate than themselves. They were women highly respect- 
ed in the communities where their lives were spent, and valued and 
devoted members of the churches with which they were connected. 

Of these, Betsey, who died Sept. 28, 1852, wife of Ira Tompkins, 
left three sons and four daughters : Eli C. Tompkins, of Fond du Lac, 
Wis.; Judge Charles M. Tompkins, of Washington, D. C; Augustus 
Tompkins, Burlington, Kansas; Mrs. Amelia Travis, Burlington, Kan- 
sas; Mrs. Julia Moore, Baldwin Place, N. Y.; Mrs. Elizabeth Hyatt, 
Jeff"erson Valley, N. Y.; and Mrs. Sarah F. Hyatt, New York City, all 
of whom are now living. 

Mrs. Sally Perry lived and died in Bridgeport, Conn., the last mem- 
ber of Dr. Cornelius' family to pass away. She left an only son. Rev. 
Tallman C. Perry, now living at La Prairie, Canada. 



21 

Mrs. Polly Lewis, wife of Rev. William Lewis, died at Rising Sun, 
Ind., many years ago, leaving one son, William, who when last heard 
from, was living near Auburn, N. Y. 

Nancy, the youngest child, died March 23rd, 1822, aged 19 years. 

Dr. Cornelius was a member of the order of Cincinnati, and his cer- 
tificate of membership bears the signatures of Washington and Knox, who 
were his personal friends. This, with the "Journal" to which we have 
alluded, is now in the office of the R. L Society, of Cincinnati. 

Gen. La Fayette was also an intimate friend of Dr. Cornelius, and 
presented him with a sword as a token of his esteem, which is now in the 
possession of his grandson, Rev. TallmanC. Perry, of La Prairie, Canada. 
Dr. Cornelius died in 1823, and lies buried in the Presbyterian Ceme- 
tery at Mahopac Falls. His tombstone bears the following inscription : 

DR. ELIAS CORNELIUS, 

Died June 13, 1823, Aged 65 years. 
" A Revolutionary Officer and Patriot, one of the principal founders 
of the Church and Society in this place, and for forty years a laborious, 
and eminently useful Physician. Embracing religion in the Camp, he 
was early distinguished for his zeal and activity in the cause of Christ, 
and having spent much of his life in its service, died in the possession of 
its hopes." 

Ida M. Blake. 



22 



[From The Spirit of '76, New York, February, 1898.] 

A NEW YORK PATRIOT IN PRISON. 

BY A. OAKEY HALL. 



How the English in 1777 Made Dungeons In the Livingston Sugar 
House and Hall of Records. 

Judge Charles M. Tompkins, who has been in the Department of the 
Interior at Washington since Lincoln first appointed him, as well as his 
Westchester County relatives, never tire of recounting the sufferings as a 
Revolutionary patriot of their grandfather, Elias Cornelius, who as a 
young M. D. in the early years of the war against King George, served 
as surgeon's mate in the brigade of General Varnum, whose descendents 
yet illustrate the political, loyal and social circles of New York City. 
When the Britons of to-day wonder why there exists so bitter a feeling 
in the United States against the English government the answer would 
be that such stories as grandfather Cornelius had to relate to his posterity 
(which was only a sample story of tales narrated by a thousand other 
Continental prisoners) emphasized the naturally bullying propensity of 
all John Bulls and their inclination toward oppression and cruelty. So 
long as American children receive common school education, so long 
will their own native logic teach them to hate a government guilty of 
oppressions toward their ancestry such as characterized the era of George 
III., or countenanced the felonious raid of British troops on the National 
Capitol during the naval war in President Madison's time ; or learn 
about the selfishness of the English cabinet during our civil war time in 
aiding and abetting secession. London newspapers have but to remem- 
ber that Americans thereby have a three-fold reason for disliking Eng- 
lish governments ; and a dislike intensified by reflection upon the three 
hundred years of their oppressions and cruelties toward Irishmen. This 
spirit of hatred and dislike is probably more rampant in New York than 
elsewhere, because its local revolutionary history especially teems with 
narratives of Tory oppression in our Colonial city and of Tory cruelties 
in city prisons and prison ships and at the Wallabout on the Brooklyn 
side, fostered by vindictive provost marshals. The vindictive English 
spirit of our Revolutionary era has subsequently existed for the Sepoys 
of India. In 1777 General Howe did not blow prisoners into fragments 



23 

at the cannon's mouth as was done in 1855 in Hindostan ; but the story 
of Dr. Cornelius' imprisonment in New York City that now passes 
into history for the first time proves how English vindictiveness could 
intensify. When Dr. Elias Cornelius surrendered his medical future in 
this city in order to respect his patriotic instincts by volunteering in the 
army of Washington, it occupied posts in the area which is now known ag 
the annexed district of this city. In the summer of 1777 the hospital stores 
of General Varnum's brigade stationed in the city suburbs were sadly 
deficient ; and the city being held by red coats it was difficult for such 
stores to be procured. Wherefore it occurred to Dr. Cornelius to suggest 
a raid for hospital stores upon those within the enemy's lines that were 
as near to the Continental lines as in 1862 were the two hostile armies 
along the Potomac. The raid was undertaken by Surgeon General Tuni- 
son of Washington's General Hospital and Captain Alden's company 
of fifty. It proved successful as to capturing medicines, bandages, lint 
and surgical instruments ; but in returning one section with which was 
Dr. Cornelius fell into an ambush at East Chester, where after a brief 
engagement it had to yield to overwhelming numbers. The horse of Dr. 
Cornelius was seized and also his pistol holsters by Hessian privates, who 
acted, says Cornelius, more like brigands than soldiers. They took off 
his military cloak and even wrenched the buckles from his shoes and ob- 
tained thirty pounds in money and his handkerchief, and actually 
showed some symptoms of grabbing his shirt and stockings. Now, 
Doctor Cornelius was a non-combatant as a surgeon and to be respected 
as such by the rules of war — rules that the generals of George III. by the 
aid of Aboriginal Indian allies hunting for scalps and of Hessian allies 
bent upon plunder seldom respected throughout the whole Revolutionary 
and naval wars. The ambush had been planned for the red coats by a 
Tory civilian — for, sad to relate, the city and its suburbs abounded with 
Tories and traitors, and new converts are generally the most zealous. 
The captors stopped at the tavern of a Tory named Hunt who taunted 
Cornelius, whom he well knew, while at the same time he was dealing out 
to them liquor bought as he knew with the stolen money. There the 
hapless surgeon was detained all night in close confinement with a few 
fellow comrades, and watched by sentinels who threatened to blow out 
the brains of the first one of the party who spoke to another. 

All this, and much more which now follows of narrative appears from 
an original journal of his grandfather, a copy of which Judge Tompkins 
piously preserves. On the following morning the doctor and compan- 



24 

ions were escorled under Hessian guard to Kingsbridge, and delivered 
over to the custody of the Provost Guard. During the day the prisoners 
suffered with hunger and thirst, being given only mouldy bread and drink 
from a bucket of water into which a pint of rum was poured, and some 
green apples which " were thrown at me," says the journal, "as if I were 
a pig in a pen." Soon they were marched under guard toward New York, 
and on the way, on a point overlooking the Hudson that would seem to 
have been situated about where now is Grant's tomb, they were brought 
into the headquarters of a Hessian general for triumphant exhibition. It 
would seem to have occasioned great sport to the red coat officers to find 
captured rebels brought before them to be baited with rough jests and 
coarse aspersions upon their disloyalty ; and for an hour Dr. Cornelius 
and his comrades aftbrded the fat old beer-drinking Hessian general 
great delight ; and such as Spaniards feel at a bull fight. Baiting and 
wounding with the tongue is often to a man of fine feeling as exquisite 
pain as to the bull is baiting with swords. After the Hessian general 
had enjoyed his fill of rebel sport, Dr. Cornelius was marched entirely 
across the island until Bowery was reached, which, said his journal, " is 
three-quarters of a mile from the City of New York." Continues Dr. 
Cornelius' account : " As we marched into town Hessians, negroes and 
children insulted, abused and stoned us in every way they could think 
of. Two of our men had become so fatigued that we were obliged to 
carry them- And in this way we were paraded as a show, to be brought 
before General Jones, who ordered us as prisoners into Livingston's 
sugar house. Dr. Cornelius arrived there under charge of Sergeant Walley 
(now of historic infamy) of the 20th regiment (Irish,) who began with 
apparent delight a course of barbarous treatment. This generation 
should remember that young New York (N. B. — It is a mistake to speak 
of" old New York" as belonging to a century ago, for only in 1897 
exists an old New York) was then intensely tory. The city was really 
then ''English — quite English, you know;" and the early "sons of lib- 
erty," headed by Alexander Hamilton, the Columbia College student,' 
had enlisted under Washington. The sugar house in question was full 
of holes in its roof, and the prisoners kept in the upper stories were after 
every rain intentionally exposed to chills and rheumatism. 

"You are a rebel doctor, eh?" cried Jailer Walley to Cornelius; 
" then you can dose yourself;" and he confiscated the doctor's commis- 
sion, which was signed by Surgeon General John Cochrane (grandfather 
of that namesake who is known to this generation as Alderman, Police 



25 
Justice, Congressman, Union General and President of the Society of the 
Cincinnati.) The commission was also signed by Washington's staff 
physician, Doctor Craig, who it will be recalled medically ministered to 
the dying ex-President. Dr. Cornelius' father was a tory living on the 
Sound shore of Long Island and had resented the rebel proclivities of his 
son — at this time not yet of age — and blamed his medical preceptor, the 
famous Doctor Samuel Latham Mitchell, afterwards the first Federal 
Senator from New York, for instilling rebel sentiments. Being without 
funds and clothing the captured Cornelius begged for pen, ink and pa- 
per, so as to write to his father ; but Jailer Walley not only refused but 
struck him in the face with his cane and reduced his allowance of mouldy 
bread and water. The father, however, learned of his son's capture 
and imprisonment through the tory " Rivington Gazette," and came to 
see him ; but only to urge him to obey Lord Howe's proclamation, 
which gave pardon to all rebels who should return to their allegiance 
unto King George. Dr. Cornelius indignantly declined, and the old 
tory father left his son to his fate ; but after the war ended that son was 
enabled to save his father's property from confiscation. New York reb- 
els were then situated toward Captain General Lord Howe much as 
Havana rebels are by the forgiving proclamation of Captain General 
Weyler. 

From the sugar house prison Dr. Cornelius was removed to the 
Provost Marshal's prison on the site of the present Hall of Records, in 
which still stands portions of the old prison wall. The doctor, because 
he had refused the clemency of Lord Howe, was clapped into a base- 
ment dungeon where he encountered a fellow prisoner — a ship captain 
of Philadelphia named Chatham, who had as captive refused to pilot a 
Britsh troop ship up the Delaware. Provost Marshal Cunningham — 
])robably the most cruel and inhuman jailer known to history, and because 
of his devilish proclivities kept in office to enforce the early repressive 
measures that the British adopted towards conquering the spirit of rebels 
— inflicted new indignities upon Cornelius and the others, and not only 
refused the latter the offices of the provost physician, but punished Dr. 
Cornelius for attempting to medically succor them. "But they will 
die," remonstrated the doctor. " They are sent here for that purpose," 
rejoined Cunningham ; " and His Gracious Majesty will forgivingly bury 
them in Potters Field." That pauper cemetery was then the area now 
Washington Square. Here Dr. Cornelius was ke])t from Aug. 25 to 
Sep. 12 without change of linen or clothing or water for ablutions. 



26 

Among the prisoners Dr. Cornelius found brave Ethan Allen, who three 
years previously had become the hero of Ticonderoga, but had been 
taken prisoner in the General Montgomery expedition against Montreal. 
Ethan Allen narrated to the doctor, who copied the narrative into his 
diary, how he had been put on board a man-of-war in the St. Lawrence, 
chained flat on his back during six months in a corner of the hold, and 
twice carried on shore in England to be hanged, once also on the coast 
of Ireland, and a third time at Halifax. Allen's bravery was not then 
fully known to the doctor, who quaintly writes in his diary, "there 
seemed to have been much antipathy to Allen." He was not aware 
either that all those cruelties and these of Cunningham were brought up 
in Parliament by friends therein of the colonists and expressly by vote 
approved by Lord North's bloodthirsty administration. And yet the 
London Times continues to wonder why so many Americans dislike the 
country of Queen Victoria's grandfather, who countenanced the cruelties 
and oppressions of McKinley's ancestral people. Adds the Cornelius 
journal : <' I frequently saw beaten with canes and ramrods women who 
came to the prison windows to speak to their husbands, sons or brothers ; 
some of whom would be put on bread and water diet in dungeons merely 
for asking that cold water be passed to them through the bars." 
When General Clinton and a British force captured Fort Montgomery 
its officers were brought to Cunningham's care, some of them wounded, 
whom Dr. Cornelius begged to attend surgically only to receive refusals 
with curses. The London Times criticizes Weyler for his treatment of 
prisoners, and yet he is only in Havana adopting the English precedents 
set by Lord Howe and Provost Marshal Cunningham in Colonial New 
York City. Soon, however, news came that General Burgoyne had ca- 
pitulated to General Gates at Saratoga, when the Cunningham imprison- 
ment modified somewhat. " We are now even given each a little butter, 
and a gill of rice to each, and our dried peas are allowed to be boiled," 
quaintly and pathetically writes the doctor; and in January, 1778, he 
adds, " good bread and beef and wood to burn." But soon Cornelius 
was taken back to the sugar house, where he found " the Hessian guards 
stealing our clothes and bed blankets and kicking and beating us." He 
became so ill, but had made himself so useful, medically, to the British 
surgeon that when " the rebel physician" became ill the former sent him 
" to the brick church hospital in the street called Wall." From this 
hospital the doctor one night escaped, and in a blizzard traversed the 
island up as high as opposite Hell Gate with almost incredible exposure, 



27 

suffering and romantic incidents ; whence he crossed by boat to Long 
Island and was cared for by secretive patriots. There is a pathetic 
entry in the diary — "passed at night by the house in which I was 
born and dared not go in lest my grandfather, a devoted loyalist 
should return me to prison." He eventually escaped by boat into Nor- 
walk, Connecticut, and was enabled to rejoin the army, which was now 
at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. There he shared the terrors of that 
patient and suffering waiting of Washington and his patriot soldiers that 
history has made memorable, and in his surgical capacity Dr. Cornelius 
was of great service to the Continental camps. Two years more he con- 
tinued in surgical army duty, but through illness was obliged to seek his 
honorable discharge in the very year of Cornwallis' surrender at York- 
town. It was in a village by that name in the north of Westchester 
County that he settled as physician, but passed most of his declining 
years in the town of Somers, dying there in 1823. And many now old 
men residing in it recall hearing, when they were young, from the lips 
of old Dr. Cornelius the stories of his sufferings in New York City Eng- 
^lish prisons. He had a clerical son, who succeeded the father of William 
M. Evarts as Secretary of the Anierican Board of Missions, and who in 
his turn had a son whom he named after the elder Evarts. The old 
army surgeon's grandchildren reside in many parts of the United States, 
and one of them, Mrs. Hyatt, in this city. His sword, a gift from 
Lafayette, whom he attended in an illness, abides on British soil in the 
keeping of a clerical grandson, the Rev. Tallman C. Perry, ofLaPrairie, 
Canada. And summer residents at Mahopac Falls can in its cemetery 
read the tombstone of the great patriotic sufferer in the British prisons of 
this city, whose war journal in the possession of the Rhode Island branch, 
of the Cincinnati Society is the basis of the foregoing narrative. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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017 136 320 2 



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